Chelsea all out for Osimhen, Ratcliffe's Newcastle raid, Sancho U-turn: FootballTransfers recap

Stuart Telford

• 8 Dec 2023 16:42 CST
• 5 min read

Chelsea to break bank for Osimhen, Ratcliffe plots Newcastle raid, Sancho transfer U-turn: FootballTransfers recap

Friday was another exciting day in the world of football transfers with Todd Boehly giving Chelsea a blank cheque to go and sign Victor Osimhen from Napoli.

As well as that, Sir Jim Ratcliffe is closing on Newcastle's Dan Ashworth as his sporting director at Manchester United - once his 25 per cent stake is ratified - while Juventus have pulled out of the race for Jadon Sancho…

EXCLUSIVE: Chelsea prepared to pay whatever it takes for Osimhen

FootballTransfers was able to reveal that Chelsea owner Todd Boehly is prepared to pay whatever it takes to sign striker Victor Osimhen from Napoli.

The Nigerian is one of five players who could be on their way to Stamford Bridge in January.

Ratcliffe plots Newcastle raid after Man Utd takeover

Sir Jim Ratcliffe's minority investment in Manchester United is set to be confirmed soon, and it will be followed by the appointment of Newcastle's sporting director Dan Ashworth if the INEOS chief has his way.

Dramatic U-turn over Sancho transfer situation

Manchester United's hopes of offloading Jadon Sancho to Juventus appear to have been definitively dashed, with the Serie A club indicating that they are not interested in the England winger.

The idea of swapping Sancho for Borussia Dortmund's Donyell Malen has also been floated - something that would be a backward step for the Red Devils.

United are looking to strengthen across the final third in January, but AC Milan may have beaten them to the punch for Stuttgart's Serhou Guirassy.

Transfers news

Finally, a sweep of transfer news from around the world. Xabi Alonso has been tipped to spurn Real Madrid for the Liverpool job by Steve McManaman.

Barcelona's squad reportedly consider former Chelsea man Andreas Christensen as 'a bit of a whinger' in light of his recent injuries - or lack thereof.

Newcastle have been tipped to sign Gigio Donnarumma from PSG in light of Nick Pope's shoulder injury.

Man City are expected to go shopping in January, but their winter shortlist might surprise some.

Erik ten Hag's position as Man Utd manager seems tenuous despite his recent Manager of the Month award.

Lyon are asking for just €10 million for Chelsea, Real Madrid and PSG transfer target Rayan Cherki.

And Liverpool have shortlisted Wolfsburg's Maxence Lacroix as a potential replacement for Joel Matip, who looks to have played his last game for the cub.